Aftermath of KCC polls

BNP rejects results, seeks EC rejig

News Desk
Alleging 'unprecedented vote rigging', opposition BNP Wednesday rejected the unofficial results of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) polls and questioned the Election Commission's capability to manage any election hereafter.
And its mayoral candidate, Nazrul Islam Manju, told a post-election press meet in the southern city that "ballots were snatched and stuffed" in 105 centres. He demanded repelling in those centres.
In the capital, the party also demanded resignation of Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda for what it said his 'inability' to hold a 'fair and impartial' election. "I, on behalf of our party, reject the results of Khulna City Corporation election," BNP senior joint secretary-general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, reports UNB.
He also alleged that the current 'illegal' government has exercised its 'illegal' power to "snatch people's voting rights" in Tuesday's polls.
"It can't be a healthy election system the way supporters of paddy sheaf (BNP's election symbol), were subjected to harassment and obstruction at polling stations. The supporters of boat (AL's election symbol) established their limitless supremacy," the BNP leader observed.
He alleged that the ruling party men gave fake votes dividing different groups at many polling stations while the presiding officers helped them cast vote unilaterally and stuff ballots.
"They (AL men) stuffed the ballot boxes within a few minutes at many centres, but the on-duty magistrates overlooked such activities," Rizvi claimed.
He also questioned how over 65 percent votes were cast in the election while there was a very thin presence of voters. "We think the voter turnout could be less than 30 percent. Voters couldn't go to most polling stations due to attacks and obstruction by ruling party cadres."
Rizvi also alleged that the Election Commission neither has any good intention nor ability to hold a fair and neutral election. "That's why people witnessed an unprecedented festival of vote rigging in the KCC polls."
The election to KCC was held on Tuesday amid allegations of various irregularities. Awami League's mayoral candidate Talukder Abdul Khalek won the polls with a big margin defeating BNP's contender Nazrul Islam Manju.
On the other side of the divide, the newly elected Mayor of Khulna City Corporation Talukder Abdul Khaleque pledged to free KCC from corruption, drugs and water logging to present townspeople a modern city.
"These three will be my first tasks for city dwellers after taking charge as mayor," Khaleque said while addressing a press conference at the auditorium of Khulna Press Club Wednesday.
Khaleque, also the president of city-unit Awami League and former mayor of KCC, said, "I will present a modern, green and clean city to the townspeople as per my manifesto."
About the demand of defeated BNP-backed mayoral candidate, Nazrul Islam Manju, for conducting fresh election at 105 centres, Khaleque said, "I have heard that voting was stopped at only three centres due to irregularities."
"I did not give any reaction after being defeated by BNP backed candidate and existing mayor Moniruzzaman Mony in 2013, but the demand which the BNP candidate is placing is not acceptable," he said.
Terming Manju godfather of outlaws and militants, Khaleque said people of Khulna were yet to forget the mass killing that took place during the tenure of BNP-Jamaat coalition.
City-unit general secretary of AL Mizanur Rahman Mizan MP, among others, was present at the press conference.
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